Paul had reached the octopus old age of two-and-a-half years and died in his tank at the Sea Life aquarium in the western German city of Oberhausen. (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Paul correctly picked the outcome of all seven of Germany’s games. He made his predictions by opening the lid of one of two clear plastic boxes, each containing a mussel and bearing a team flag. (ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images)
Paul seemed to be in good shape when he was checked the night before, but he was found dead the next day. (ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images)
It was determined that Paul died of natural causes. (ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images)
The aquarium has not yet decided how best to commemorate their most famous resident (ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images)
After rising to global prominence during the World Cup in South Africa, Paul retired from the predictions business after the final between Spain and the Netherlands - correctly picking Spain - and returned to his primary role of intriguing children who passed through the aquarium. (ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images)
After his World Cup soothsaying skills were revealed, the English-born Paul was appointed as an ambassador to England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup. (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Paul had English roots. He was hatched at Weymouth Sea Life Center on England’s south coast in 2008. (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
“El Pulpo Paul” became so popular in Spain that the northwestern Spanish town of O Carballino tried to borrow him and made him an “honorary friend.” (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Paul, who had an agent, got hundreds of requests to go to Spain. The Madrid Zoo asked Sea Life if it would be willing to make a deal to bring him in as a tribute to the Spanish football team’s victory. But the German aquarium turned down the offer. (ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images)
Paul’s name will live on the Greek island of Zakynthos, where a permanent sea turtle rescue center funded in part by donations generated by the famous octopus is being established (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
“We had all naturally grown very fond of him and he will be sorely missed,” Sea Life manager Stefan Porwoll said in a statement. (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Paul may get his own small burial plot on the aquarium’s grounds and a modest permanent shrine may be erected in his honor. (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Imitators sprang up all over the world, including Mani the Parakeet in Singapore and Lorenzo the Parrot in Hannover, Germany. (ROLAND WEIHRAUCH/AFP/Getty Images)
Another was a saltwater crocodile named Dirty Harry, who predicted Spain’s World Cup final win and called the result of Australia’s general election by snatching a chicken carcass dangling beneath a caricature of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Here Paul is predicting the match between Germany and Uruguay. (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Here Paul is choosing between Spain and the Netherlands. (PATRIK STOLLARZ/AFP/Getty Images)
An Indian artist created a sand sculpture of Paul the Octopus before the match between Spain and the Netherlands. (STRDEL/AFP/Getty Images)
Not everyone was happy with Paul’s predictions. These are supporters of the Netherlands attending the World Cup final match between the Netherlands and Spain. (PABALLO THEKISO/AFP/Getty Images)